The flying servant behind remained silent.

Xiao Jue felt his brow twitching. Having just returned to the Cui Manor and not yet having time to change his clothes, he heard Cui Jiao say that He Yan had been dragged to the small garden by Ling Xiu. He could see through Ling Xiu’s intentions at a glance – she was the type of woman whose motives were transparent. Unfortunately, He Yan was completely ignorant of matters concerning women and the inner quarters. Worried she might be taken advantage of, he came to intervene.

However, upon arrival, he witnessed her confidently sharing her tale, appearing unharmed while leaving the other women green with anger.

“Not too foolish after all,” Xiao Jue thought with mixed amusement. He decided to remain at the garden corner, coldly observing to see what other outrageous things she might say.

Meanwhile, Second Madam revealed a knowing smile, nodding toward the figure at the garden corner. “Look, her protector has arrived.”

“Really!” Fourth Madam clasped her hands. “Second Sister, you’re so perceptive. I admire you!”

“It’s still uncertain whose side he’ll take,” Third Madam, unwilling to admit her misjudgment, said, “What if Young Master Qiao sees Ling Xiu’s beauty and changes allegiance?”

Madam Wei frowned. “If you have nothing sensible to say, then don’t speak!”

Second Madam laughed with schadenfreude.

On the other side, He Yan continued eloquently: “So I tell you, sisters, while learning zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting is important, it should be for your pleasure. If it’s merely to please men, you’d be better off learning the art of managing husbands. Before marriage, I too enjoyed romantic pursuits, but after marriage, I realized it was all like clouds in a valley. Only the techniques of managing a husband are truly powerful.”

“Really?” These young ladies, though sometimes annoying, weren’t particularly calculating. One of them asked straightforwardly, “Then tell us, what are your techniques for managing a husband?”

He Yan cleared her throat and responded seriously: “To be honest, I’m not sure what my techniques are. My husband and I only met once at the Lantern Festival. I didn’t even know him, but the next day, he came to propose, saying he would marry no one but me. I didn’t want to marry so early, but he was incredibly persistent, saying he would jump into the river if I refused. I thought, well, it’s a human life at stake, so I considered it a good deed. Besides, as they say, even a virtuous woman fears a persistent suitor, so I agreed to marry him.”

“I’ve thought about it, and the secret to managing a husband comes down to one thing,” she continued. “First, you need a face that makes someone fall hopelessly in love at first sight, making them unwilling to marry anyone else.” She adjusted her long hair falling over her chest, somewhat embarrassed. “Of course, not everyone can achieve this.”

“Second, your love for him must be less than his love for you. Between men and women, while things should be generally equal, in small matters, someone always has the upper hand. It’s like warfare – constantly viewing your lover as overly important isn’t good. Take better care of yourself, and naturally, someone will love you.” He Yan fabricated confidently, almost believing herself. “I never try to please my husband, yet he cherishes me like a precious jewel. That’s the result.”

“Third,” He Yan thought to herself that she couldn’t make up anything else. She smiled slightly, “Good men are rare, so you all need to keep your eyes sharp. Rather than fixating on what others have, better to nurture your own carefully chosen one.”

The flying servant secretly glanced at his master. Young Master Xiao stood against the wall, his smile cold and his gaze mocking. The servant thought, Young Lady He talks about virtuous women fearing persistent suitors, but was their young master ever persistent? She claims he desperately pursued her. She’s good at giving herself undeserved credit!

Second Madam stopped cracking melon seeds and stared at He Yan in surprise. “I must have misjudged! I thought she was ignorant of inner chamber affairs, but she’s quite skilled. Wonderful!”

“Though I don’t fully understand what she’s saying,” Fourth Madam scratched her head, “it sounds impressive.”

He Yan felt somewhat relieved, thinking that since her rebirth, following Xiao Jue had broadened her horizons. She’d even learned to adapt her words to her audience – look how she had these young ladies completely fooled by her fabrications.

However, in any group, there is always one or two who aren’t easily deceived. Yan Miner looked at her mockingly: “Do you think anyone will believe what you’re saying? Is Young Master Qiao doting on someone? Pursuing you desperately? Does Young Master Qiao seem like that type of person?”

At these words, the young ladies who had been listening in confusion suddenly became more clear-headed. Looking at Qiao Huanqing’s cold, moon-like demeanor, how could he possibly be someone who would desperately pursue Wen Yuyan?

“You must be lying!” the loud-voiced young lady exclaimed.

“I’m not!” He Yan said earnestly. “Our relationship is so good it’s beyond your imagination. Just the other day during the Water God Festival, we crossed the Lovers’ Bridge together. I’m afraid of heights and didn’t want to go, but when my husband heard that couples who cross together will never be separated, he insisted on carrying me across. If I hadn’t firmly refused, he might have crossed three times for three lifetimes of destiny.”

Xiao Jue: “…”

He could barely continue listening, finding it incredible that someone could tell such lies with a straight face, maintaining complete seriousness to an outrageous degree.

“What’s so special about that?” a girl on the side wasn’t convinced. “Many people cross the Lovers’ Bridge…”

“We also look at pictures together,” He Yan said.

Ling Xiu asked confused: “What pictures?”

“Spring…”

Before she could finish, a light cough interrupted. Everyone turned to see a young man approaching gracefully, his bearing as refined as a painting, his handsomeness like fine jade. Though not their first encounter, each time people saw him, they couldn’t help being enchanted by his appearance, silently praising his elegance.

Passing by He Yan, his beautiful eyes met hers, showing a hint of warning.

He Yan momentarily forgot what she had been about to say. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Xiao Jue say softly: “Yanyan, what are you doing here?”

Yanyan?

Ling Xiu was stunned. While couples might use pet names in private, doing so in front of others suggests a depth of affection beyond any reserve.

He Yan felt a lump in her throat, unsure how to react. Though she knew Xiao Jue was calling Wen Yuyan “Yanyan,” coincidentally, she also had a “Yan” character in her name. Thinking this way, it felt as if he was calling “Yanyan.”

She responded in confusion: “Just… having tea and chatting.”

Xiao Jue nodded, his beautiful black eyes fixed on her. He smiled slightly, his tone so gentle it made one’s heart tremble: “Would you accompany me back to our room?”

“For what?” He Yan was completely unused to him speaking this way, feeling the surrounding gazes like daggers flying at her. It was truly depressing – her earlier self-praise about being cherished had only earned accusations of lying, yet Xiao Jue barely spoke, merely softening his gaze when looking at her, and she received so many envious looks.

Who wouldn’t say Young Master Xiao was impressive?

“To practice the zither with me.” The young man’s face was like beautiful jade, his eyes like bright stars, his black hair bound with a jade crown falling smoothly and coolly on his shoulders. He reached out and gently patted He Yan’s head, showing boundless affection.

The onlookers almost wanted to push He Yan aside and put their heads under this young man’s hand.

“Al… alright.” He Yan collected herself and stood up. When she raised her head again, she wore a coquettish expression. “Sisters, I apologize, but my husband wants me to return and practice zither with him.” She sighed again, speaking troubledly: “It’s true what they say about virtuous women fearing persistent suitors.”

He Yan turned and gracefully took Xiao Jue’s arm as they left. Behind them, everyone looked at each other in dismay. After a while, Ling Xiu threw her handkerchief and bit her pearl-like teeth. Yan Miner was startled: “What’s wrong with you?”

Ling Xiu had been angered to tears.

A plate of melon seeds was emptied. Fourth Madam clapped her hands, saying regretfully: “Is that all?”

“If you want to see more, go read a novel,” Madam Wei chided. “Is Young Master Qiao here for your entertainment?”

“I must say, this was better than the Xiangsi Theater,” Second Madam rested her chin on her hand. “Watching from afar, when Young Master Qiao protected his wife just now, it was quite heart-stirring. It made me want to…”

“Want what?” Madam Wei said, “Don’t cause trouble for me.”

“Dear sister, I’m just talking,” Second Madam smiled alluringly. “At our age, even if we wanted to have romantic encounters, who would indulge us?”

Third Madam, contrary to her usual behavior, didn’t say anything sour, only muttering: “Madam Qiao is quite lucky to find such a husband.”

“Your brain, how can you only see that Young Master Qiao is exceptional?” Fourth Madam gave her a look. “I think Madam Qiao is also an interesting person. If it had been you surrounded like that earlier, you would have been crying and jumping into the river. Look at her, that’s what you call using four ounces to move a thousand pounds. The art of managing husbands isn’t simple, you should learn from her, Third Sister.”

…

At this moment, He Yan, who possessed these enviable “husband-managing techniques,” was walking back to their quarters with Xiao Jue.

He Yan didn’t dare make a sound along the way, nor did she look up at Xiao Jue, not saying a word. Undoubtedly, since he appeared at that time, he must have arrived earlier, likely standing behind for quite a while. All her words tarnishing Xiao Jue’s image had probably been heard by him.

It was all because those young ladies were too talkative, chattering so much that she hadn’t heard Xiao Jue’s footsteps. She had unwittingly provided him with entertainment, and she didn’t know what he was thinking now, but he must be very angry. How should she make him feel better when they get back? Should she apologize before he gets angry?

While thinking, they approached their courtyard. When He Yan and Xiao Jue returned, they saw Lin Shuanghe standing in the courtyard talking with a maid. This philanderer Lin Shuanghe had said something to the newly acquainted young maid that made her face completely red, laughing like swaying flowers.

Looking up and seeing He Yan and Xiao Jue return, Lin Shuanghe greeted them: “Young Master, Young Madam, you’re back? Where did you go?”

He Yan awkwardly replied: “Had some tea, we’ll talk later.”

She followed Xiao Jue back to their room. As soon as they entered, she almost bumped into him, nearly falling into his embrace. Xiao Jue gave her a cool glance, reaching past her body to close the door behind her.

He Yan: “…”

“Sit.” He turned and sat at the table, his calm tone making He Yan sense an impending interrogation.

He Yan quickly sat across from him.

“Why so quiet?” Xiao Jue raised an eyebrow, looking at her with an ambiguous smile. “Weren’t you quite talkative earlier, virtuous lady?”

He Yan was startled – he had indeed heard!

She said: “Commander, you know how they keep coming to make trouble. I’m tired of it too, it was just a temporary measure. May I ask when you arrived and how much of my words did you hear?”

Xiao Jue sneered: “Does it matter?”

“It matters for the content of my apology.”

Xiao Jue turned his head to stare at her for a long while before saying: “Young Lady He, are you disregarding your reputation, or mine?”

“I’m sorry,” He Yan apologized sincerely. “But I think since we’re currently Young Master Qiao and Miss Wen, speaking of our relationship as intimate shouldn’t be an issue. After all, some intimacy between husband and wife is perfectly normal.”

Xiao Jue could bear it no longer: “Was what you spoke of mere intimacy?”

“Wasn’t it?”

“If I hadn’t come over then, what were you planning to say – what did we look at together?” His good breeding prevented him from saying those two words.

But He Yan wasn’t as particular. She replied frankly: “You mean the spring pictures!”

Xiao Jue pinched between his brows: “No need to speak so loudly.”

He Yan lowered her voice and asked puzzled: “Looking at spring pictures together shows how close we are – what’s wrong with that?”

Back in the military camp, men would show their brotherhood by sharing their treasured pictures. If the relationship wasn’t close enough, they wouldn’t lend them even when begged. For married couples, it was even more so – looking at pictures together showed such perfect harmony and intimacy.

Xiao Jue’s face darkened to the point of dripping water. He slowly asked, “Who told you looking at pictures together means a good relationship?” What kind of person was she? Speaking such things as if they were perfectly normal. Was this how He Sui taught his daughter, not even knowing what should and shouldn’t be said? Did she realize that if he hadn’t appeared today to stop what she was about to say, her words would have been enough to shock the entire city of Jiyang?

“I…” He Yan suddenly stopped, “That’s just what I thought. Besides, after you looked at them, our relationship was fine, it didn’t create any distance between us, did it?”

“When did I ever look?” Xiao Jue’s face was ashen.

“You did look at them,” He Yan insisted. “Even a glance counts as looking. We’ve already looked together.”

He was slightly annoyed: “I did not.”

“You did.”

“I did not.”

“Fine,” He Yan said, “If you say you didn’t, then you didn’t.”

Xiao Jue felt a headache coming on. She was the one talking nonsense, yet somehow he seemed to be the unreasonable one.

“Your reckless talk not only disregards our reputations but will also ruin Qiao Huanqing and Wen Yuyan’s reputations as well.” He smiled coldly.

He Yan pondered for a moment and said: “I understand. I won’t mention us looking at spring pictures together in front of others anymore.”

“I never looked at them with you,” Xiao Jue emphasized again.

“Then can I look at them by myself?” He Yan was confused as to why Xiao Jue was so hung up on this matter.

“You’re not allowed to look at them either,” he raised his eyebrows and warned coldly. “Do you know what kind of outrageous words you were speaking earlier? Virtuous lady.”

He Yan choked on her cough. She pleaded quietly: “Commander, please stop calling me virtuous lady. It sounds like you’re cursing at me.”

“Oh?” Xiao Jue spoke with an ambiguous smile. “But you seemed quite happy saying it – how I would marry no one but you, and would jump in the river if I couldn’t have you. Who knew Young Lady He, though small in stature, had such an active imagination.”

“That was just to prove your rock-solid devotion to me,” He Yan said helplessly. “I just wanted them to give up. Who could stand them coming to make trouble every few days? You can rely on your beauty to get away with things, but I’m the unfortunate one. Commander, you need to have some sympathy.”

“I don’t have sympathy?” Xiao Jue laughed in anger. If he hadn’t been trying to help her ward off Ling Xiu and the others from their useless schemes, he wouldn’t have had to act so sickeningly sweet in front of others. He still felt uncomfortable about it.

“Why should I have sympathy?” he said indifferently. “Aren’t you skilled at managing husbands? Just a crook of your finger and your husband will cherish only you. It sounds like your husband is the one who deserves sympathy.”

He Yan: “…”

“Having a face that makes people want to marry you at first sight,” Xiao Jue’s lips curled up, his smile playful as he stared into her eyes and spoke slowly. “He cherishes you like a precious jewel, yet you love him less than he loves you. This persistent suitor remains devoted, wanting to share three lifetimes of destiny with you. Virtuous lady, aren’t you being a bit too heartless?”

Each time he said “virtuous lady,” He Yan got goosebumps. She quickly moved her chair closer to Xiao Jue, grabbed his arm, and tried to appease him righteously: “Exactly! How could our Commander, someone so beautiful and graceful, be the desperate pursuing type? Besides Commander, no one else deserves to be called virtuous. If Commander wanted to share three lifetimes with someone, forget crossing bridges – they’d cross mountains of blades! No one could be heartless toward Commander, no one!”

“That’s not what you were saying earlier,” he said leisurely.

“Those were lies, these are my true feelings,” He Yan said. “You must believe me!”

The young lady’s gaze was clear, her eyes determined, like the stray cat he’d met in the courtyard – she would bristle when her tail was stepped on, but when jumped up and patted on the head, she would become especially docile.

A flash of amusement passed through his eyes, disappearing in an instant. He said mildly: “Stop looking at such improper things in the future.” After a pause, he added: “Let’s put this matter to rest.”

He Yan felt greatly relieved. This man was truly hard to deceive – just making him sound a bit… less cold and aloof, and he got so angry. It seemed Young Master Xiao cared about his image in others’ eyes.

Thinking of this, He Yan moved closer to him and said: “Commander, don’t just focus on these things. Before that, I also said many good things about you. For example… I said you excel at zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting – there’s nothing in the world you can’t do. Next time you must show off your talents in front of them to prove I wasn’t lying.”

Xiao Jue sneered: “Am I a street performer?”

“…Well, not exactly.” He Yan scratched her head. She thought for a while and said to Xiao Jue: “But next time if something like this happens, if these tactless people come to make trouble, Commander, you must cooperate with me and show that we’re deeply in love, an affectionate couple. Maybe then they’ll know better and stop causing problems?”

Xiao Jue raised his eyebrows: “Cooperate?”

He Yan nodded.

He glanced at He Yan, “If you beg me, I might consider it.”

He Yan: “Please, Commander, I beg you.”

Xiao Jue: “…”

Did she say it so easily? He frowned slightly, a mocking smile appearing on his lips: “With so little backbone, how can you call yourself virtuous?”

“I told you not to call me virtuous,” He Yan was exasperated. “Commander, you’re being very childish.”

“Oh.” He raised his eyebrows and said word by word: “Virtuous lady.”

“Childish!”

…

However, after the garden incident, whether due to He Yan’s words or Xiao Jue’s final appearance showing his subtle doting on his beloved wife, the Cui Manor was remarkably quiet for two days. None of the young ladies from Jiyang city came to have tea and chat with Madam Qiao anymore.

Hong Qiao took out the “Tear Silk” from the chest and said: “Madam should wear this to the Prince’s Manor today.”

He Yan nodded: “Alright.”

The Princess of Mengji was hosting a banquet at the Prince’s Manor today, inviting He Yan and Xiao Jue to attend, saying guests were coming, though it wasn’t clear who. Cui Yuezhi was somewhat puzzled, “Why did Her Highness invite you two but not me?”

But He Yan understood clearly. In Mu Honjin’s mind, she and Xiao Jue’s identities had been exposed. If Cui Yuezhi were present, there would be inconvenient aspects to their conversation. But inviting guests and having her and Xiao Jue as a company – could it be someone they knew?

She couldn’t figure it out but would know once they reached the Prince’s Manor. After Hong Qiao finished helping He Yan dress, He Yan went out to find Xiao Jue already waiting outside, talking with Liu Buwang. These past few days, Liu Buwang had been absent during the day, only returning at night. When he returned, it was too late and He Yan was already asleep, leaving no time to talk with him. Now seeing Liu Buwang when she had to go out again.

“Master,” she said.

Actually, several times He Yan had wanted to ask Liu Buwang if he wanted to see Mu Honjin, but it was others’ business, and she shouldn’t interfere too much. Besides, what happened between them was known only to themselves.

Liu Buwang smiled and nodded at her: “Ahe, be careful.”

He Yan nodded. There might be Wutuo people mixed in Jiyang City now, possibly some who had seen Xiao Jue before. It was never wrong to be cautious.

Flying Servant and Chi Wu followed as drivers, while Lin Shuanghe stayed at the Cui Manor, not needing to go along. He Yan and Xiao Jue got into the carriage, and He Yan asked: “Commander, the Princess of Mengji specifically invited us two to the Prince’s Manor for the banquet but not Central Rider Cui, so she must be mindful of our identities. But with distinguished guests coming, could it be… do the guests know our identities? Who could it be?”

Xiao Jue lowered his eyes, his emotions unclear in them, his voice extremely calm.

“People from Shuojing.”

A day of exchanging local flirtatious banter.

Yanyan: Don’t I look like quite the drama queen today?